Variety (Nov 1939)

Wednesday, November 22, 1939 REVIEWS VARIETY 49 Unit Reviews COMEDIE FRANCAISE (COLONIAL, DAnON) Dayton, O., Nov. 18. Count Berni Vici, with Billy Far- fell and Lucy Boots, Larue and Carol, Ted Waldman and Susie, Carlton Emmy and His Dogs, Yvette Dare, ' Girl Band (12) Line (16) Mickey Bros., and Alice; "Fast and Furious," (M-G). More eye-filling, than on his previ- ous visits is the 'Comedie Franeaise' production that Count Berni Vici brings here with a girl band of 12, ■ line chorus of 10, six showgirls and various specialty acts. The all-girl band opens in the pit, and after bringing on the troupe, hastens on stage for the rest of the show, Opener is a whiz for atmosphere, showing the Normandie steaming Into the harbor, well contrived con- sidering the limitations of such a show, whereupon the chorines line up for a French song and dance and bit of disrobing. , ^ Billy Farrell and Lucy Boots hold a gabfe.st that sees the king's English knocked completely cold. Best , part of the act, however, is Farrell's danc- ing, in -which he exhibits plenty of tricks, including a round of fancy tnps in simulation of shadow boxing, bag punching and jitterbug steps. He even stands on his hands and taps against the wall. The first production number intro- duces Bcrni Vici in a brief violin solo against a background showing the N. Y. World's Fair perisphere and trylon, from which emerge the line doing a mechanical number with cymbals and the showgirls parading In varied finery. Another production number pre- sents the girls, in flery red, doing the 'Dance of Moloch," at the end of which, LaRue and Carol, who have stood motionless all this time, come to life and do a brief adagio. Later, they appear in a similar number that gives .full play to the athletic prowess of the superbly muscled male and his lithe feminine partner. Most elaborate of the production numbers introduces Yvette Dare and her 'sacred parrot,' to which nothing appears sacred as he plucks off one garment after another during her dance, leaving Miss Dare with only what a liberal law allows. Other production numbers include a rain number, given over to the gloriflca tion of cellophane, and a southern scene, with Billy Taylor singing George Gershwin's 'Summertime' and the chorus in a trick basket ar- rangement. Carlton Emmy still stands ace high In training canines, presenting a dozen dogs in routines that are noth- ing less than amazing. Hickey Bros, and Alice, announced as late of 'Hellzapoppin,' are crazy enough in their antics to belong to that outfit, bQt most of their material is out- dated and needs revamping. The finale pays tribute to John Philip' Sousa, with the band playing his 'Stars and Stripes Forever' and the girls doing a sailor number. Band, by the way, includes an elec- tric organ and novachord. Kany. which it will be compared, and in its present form, unfavorably. Solo numbers need to be built up, too, in- stead of coming on cold after a loud- speaker announcement as they do now in the manner of the old vaude bills. When caught, O'Brien unit had only played a few performances, which may have accounted for' a lethargic pace. Individual numbers are almost all socko, with few exceptions, talent it- self stacking up favorably with any collection on ice. Miss Dworshak, who was in the 'Folljes' for a couple of seasons, is the rhythmic looker who does a virtual jitterbug on ice, but it's a mistake to bring her out in the Sylvia ballet as an ordinary chorine. That's no way to respect a star and despite sioneness of cos- tumes, lot of people recognized her. Then there's hardly a daintier or more skillful skater on ice than Miss Hulten, and that includes Henie. Gal has everything, grace, charm and a remarkable sense of balance and rhythm. Does a regular Pavlowa to 'Claire d' Lune' and comes back in second half to do a Swedish mazurka that's a cinch to stop any show. Vanities' also introduces an English team, Dench and Stewart, that would rate tops on any man's rink. They're the ice equivalent to Veloz and Yolanda. A bolero they do is breathtaking. Comedy is well taken care of by Douglas Duffy and Alf Trenkler. Former does a 'Donald Duck' and a circus clown, both tops, particularly the latter, for flock of thrill laughs while Duffy's old ragdoll-partner number can still reach any audience. Best of male skaters, of a legitimate variety, is Guy Owen, whose romp ing gaucho rings the bell. He also teams with Miss Dworshak in her first number, which leads into an ensemble 'Ten Step,' the original first-act finale of the Tollies.' Cohen. ICE VANITIES (DUQVESNE GARDEN, PITT) Pittsburgh, Nov. 16. Bill O'firien presents first edition of 'Ice Vonities,' starring Viwi-Anne Hulten, Vera Hruba and Lois Dworshak: featuring Douglas Duffy, Ronnie Roberts, Alfred Trenkler, Guy Owen, Jerry Farley, Dench ond Stewart, Theslef and Taylor, Line (24); Orch under direction of San ford Gold. WATER FOLLIES (CITY AUD., MONTGOMERY) JWontflomery, Ala., Nov. 18. Fred Beatty, LaBIan and DuChan, Ray Goodie, Turko, Afandell Bros., Vinwr Sisters, Cortez Band. manipulated by Paris, their maker. Accompanied in each case by apro- pos tunes, Zorina, Dopey, Mickey Hooney, a jitterburg and Sonja Henie are flashed through seven minutes of surefire entertainment, Yvonne and St. Clair give to the last degree in a macabre dance shudder; the gir], in filmy costume, the prey of a mishapen monster who could .give Frankenstein cards and spades. St, Clair's makeup (he em- ploys no mask) is blood-curdling and the audience at this show re- coiled as he advanced on the gal. Kent and Kay have two spots for their rapid-fire dialog; the first, in which Kent on stage is heckled from the aisles by his colleague mas- querading as a candy butcher, is the better. ■ The Gaylene sisters, bloiid and graceful, open the show with pleas- ing acrobatic dancing and appear later in a hula bit. CARLTON, JAMAICA Rai)iono and orch (14) with Billu Miles; Jane Fraser, Eddie Garr, Maxellos (5); 'Just Like a Woman' (Alliance). Latest skate show to make a bid tor some of the coin 'Ice Follies' and Sonja Henie have been grabbing on . tour last few seasons is 'Ice Vani- ties,' which Bill O'Brien is bankroll- ing. It has possibilities. Situations where "Vanities' gets in ahead of "Follies' and Miss Henie, show won't do badly, but it's going to have a tough time following them. O'Brien has corralled a flock of tried and proven talent. It's in production that show falls down. Tfanities' has given such • superla- tive skaters' as Vivi-Anne Hulten, Vera Hruba and Lois Dworshali the atmosphere they need to make their appearance here different than it's been in the past, when they've done exhibitions between periods of a hockey game. They plight almost be doing the same thing, for O'Brien has merely tossed together a ftodc of corking specialists without building a real show around them. Chonis of 24, led by May Judels, is Just so-so and routines devised for bne by Gustave Lussi are pretty ordinary with one exception. That's the Sylvia ballet, featuring Miss Judels first and then Miss Hruba, which comes right after intermission. Its a sock ensemble, exquisitely costumed and virtually the only pro- duction hifihlight. That's what 'Vanities' needs mcst of all—production—to shnpe up an competition for the 'Follies,' with What impresarios Raynell and George Golden say Is headed for Broadway, departed from Mobile Monday (16) afternoon as Raynell's Water Follies' in 'Flashes and Splashes of 1940.' It is, in fact, a concentrated version of Billy Rose's Aquacade, which recently closed an engagement at the New York World's Fair, coupled with some satisfactory vaude standards. A portable tank, 12 feet in diam- eter and six feet high, just compact enough to fit the stage of the aver- age theatre, is carried with other stage property in three' truck-and- trailer outfits. Cast of 40 is travel-, ing in busses. Promoters of the show, built in Mobile after less than a month's planning, report they will travel north, then east and are booked solidly through Feb. 25. Plot of 'Flashes and Splashes' was hatched last summer when Raynell and Golden found themselves fel- low troupers in the caravan of the Royal American V Shows, which closed its season in Pensacola, Fla. Raynell ond Golden say their efforts have cost them $40,000. A corps of gal divers, all lookers, and Cortez's swing band, are major units in the setup. Cast also includes Fred Beatty, diving clown; LaBIan and DuChan, .surrealist 'dream dancers'; Ray Goodie, tightwire worker; Turko, juggler; gymnastics and slapstick by the Mandell Bros., and a whirlwind skating exhibition by the Vimar Sis- ters (2)' on rollers. In toto, a pleasing combo for the vaudfilmers outside the keys. The valor of the noblest Roman was nothing in comparison with this Brandt vaudfllm attempt Situated in a suburban residential nabe, with sprinking of used car lots and cheap stores, the house is fighting for biz against all odds, not the least of which is its indie and quickie film product. Practically all the biz comes at night—the matinees are brutal. And this week's stage show isn't destined for much help either, The marquee lure just isn't there. Com- bination of Ramona's male band (New Acts), Eddie Garr, the Maxel- los and specialty hoofer Jane Fraser present a fair enough enterttinment, but up in lights they are hardly strong enough to overcome celluloid that keeps customers away in droves. Band, in its first theatre date, is worked most of the time, set neatly on the stage, with Ramona vocalizing the chorus of every other tune. Garr m.c.'s and clicks in his own next-to- closing spot with his standard routine of comedy and imitations, best of the latter being his takeoff on singers. He's also in for a hoke ses- sion with the Maxellos, three men and two girls, one of the best foot juggling groups in the business. They're plenty punchy in their straight tricks, too. Jane Frazer is a nice hoofing specialty, doing four minutes of ec- centric rhythm dancing. Scho. EMBASSY, N. Y. (NEWSREEL) New Acts KAMONA AND BAND (12) With Billy Miles Carlton, Jamaica, L. I. This is the Ramona orch's first theatre date, though not the fcmme maestro's. When under contract to Paul Whiteman, she toured for a time coupled with Jack Fulton; later on her own and as a single after a court fight with Whiteman over her con- tract. The band idea is about a year old and was kept out in the sticks on a tour of one-nighters, niteries. etc., until a few weeks ago, when it got its first New York showcasing at Leon & Eddie's, 52nd street nitery. It . was okay in the latter spot and delivers fair enough on a theatre stage. Routine followed is rather cUim.sy, with Ramona bounding up from the piano at every song to deliver the choruses. Only occasionally does she do any stick-swishing, which might make audiences wonder v;hy baton- wavers are necessary at any time. In view of the fact that she's carry- ing a male pianist, it might make a better arid smoother picture if she remained standing most of the time. Only exception could be her song- pianolog medley of hits she sang with the Whiteman band. She holds plenty of emphasis in her appear- ance and introes nicely. Arrangement are practically all in swing idiom and the brass is too forte at times, but Romona evidently has a good set of musicians in the four reed, four brass and four rhythm (including her own piano) sections. Standouts are the arrangements of two old tune-s, 'Sheik of Araby' and 'Pagan Love Song'. Band also carries vocalist Billy Miles. He does only one tune, giv- ing the lyrics a Shakespearian treat- ment that's much too corny. Scho. House Reviews .ContJniicil from page 4«_ ADAMS, NEWARK Meadow."!, but the terping is ef- fective, nevertheless. Another fugitive from the 'World of Tomorrow' is Jeanne Rochellc, currently plugging a variation of her 'Bride of Frankenstein' dance il- lusion which over-awed the out landers in N,T,G.'s tent expo. Miss Rochelle has dubbed this the 'Dance of the Lovers,' and, costumed as half man, half woman, her convolutions build up to a terrific climax. Both fcmmes were visited by a city policeman alter initial matinee and received a verbal order which resulted in visible toning down of both turns at next performance. No trouble since. For showmanship and a touch of the unique, Frank Paris grabs lop honors with his three-foot mario nettcs, modeled in the likeness of stage and screen headliners and There's one thing to be said for the war, anyway. That is, it's put a wel- come crimp in baby parades, beauty contests, mardi gras celebrations, fashion shows, etc., as newsreel sub- jects. Maybe when the football sea- son is concluded the press agents will be able to get all their old bally- hoo stuff back into the reels, but for the present, at least, various kinds of action subjects crowd all the filler material off the screen. It's a break for the newsreel addict Extent to which war and football are monopolizing the reels is indi- cated in the current bill. Of the 43 clips (not including special short features), 20 are more or less direct- ly concerned with the international situation, while six deal with foot- ball and two are about aviation: The rest cover a wide field, but include not a single baby parade, beauty contest or fashion show—and only a couple are such obvious publicity bits as hog-calling contests, pig shows, cornerstone-layings and Red Cro.ss drive openings. Choice clip of the lot is Para- mount's lengthy one, taken by a passenger on the rescue ship, of the sav^ig of the crew and passengers of the torpedoed City of Mandalay. It includes some remarkable shots of the doomed vessel sinking in the dis- tance, a burial at sea and glimpses of many of the rescued. Latter por- tions of the sound track, made by the photographer himself, are drama- tized too much, but on this whole it's the best reel of its kind to come out of the war so far. Most of the other war clips, while interesting, lack ac- tion and are loo obviously approved by the censors. As usual, the reels have copped the cream of the week's scoring plays on the intercollegiate gridirons, but they still extract only a fraction of the potential thrills. Not only on the theory that .close followers of football would appreciate a better look at .<fpcctacular plays, but also be- cause it would alTord an excellent chance for ncoohytcs to learn what makes a play click, there should be slow-motion views of at least a few plays. Also, it would help if an ex- pert commentary could explain the fine points an the. action unreels. The football stuff in the nev;sreels is alieady brlllinnlly handled, but it could be improved cnormou.'ily with a little extra intelligent effort. BOB PARISH Sones Apollo, N. T. Bob Parish, late of the all-colored 'The Hot Mikado,' in which he had a lead role, that of Nanki-Poo, is a fine bet for colored vaude, niteries or musicals. Light-skinned and soft- spoken, he has a fine tenor that's given full scope through his use of a mike here. Singing without am- plification in the Michael Todd musi- cal didn't permit the range that's his presently. He's m.c.ing here also and dueling with Frances Brock in a couple of spots, but actually it's in his solo spot, towards the finale of this bill, that he really takes hold fast. At the last show Friday night (17) he had to beg oft. He has an easy personality, but one fault is his posturing, a factoi that's a usual reaction to self- confidence. He could relax on those gestures that supplement his lyric- izing. Discriminating choice of numbers is indicated by his tunes, 'South of the Border' and 'Blue Orchids,' followed by encoi;fs 'Donkey Serenade' and 'Kid Named Joe.' HOWARD GUT Piano and Songs 9 Mins. Show Bar, Forest Hills, N, Y. This Is the familiar vocalist with self-accompaniment at the piano .set up, but it doesn't jell. The pianistics aren't bad but the voice is windy and completely ineffectual in a nitery of this type. Although the tunes are changed in various stanzas between dance sets of the house band, a typical rou tine included 'Can't Give You Any- thing But Love, Baby,' 'Love For Sale,' 'I've Got You Under My Skin,' 'Let's Fall in Love' and others—all done in the same .slow tempo and in a voice which simply isn't. With nothing to indicate thalGuy'.s extreme vibrato, and other vocal, faults might be corrected, the best bet .seems to be for this entertainer to slick to the keyboard and vary his material. Gilb. MTZA and RAVEL Dancing 12 Mins. Nixon Cafe, rittsbargh Couple of comparative new- comers to the ballroom lerp field should be right up there among the top-notchers before very long. They have practically everything it takes, looks, charm, grace and, above nil, talent, which is still the pay-ofl. The fellow's .a sleek Latin type, and a first-rate dancer,, while the girl, Nitza, has all the sex-appeal this sort of turn needs. She's the Span- ish type, dark and hair pulled down from the middle, and resembles Yo- landa (Veloz and). They're doing six numbers here, dividing them into two parts and clicking all th« way. ITiey look class at their entrance and then pro- ceed to prove that there's class in their footwork, too. Start with a flashy, typically ballroom routine they divide into a waltz.and a rumba; go into a Bolero thing done to Ameri- can music, including a swell, fiddle- .solocd, arrangement of 'I've Got You Under My Skin,' then a neat tango and finally a novel Spanish dance that Navel himself announces as a dance-story about a flirtation be- tween two gypsies. It's cute, and they make it more so. Team wears clothes well and Is nicely groomed, which puts every- thing in its favor. Cohen. THE VASS FAMILY (5) Singing 12 Mins. Keith's, Boston Four girls and a man-from radio turn out good rhythm vocaLs, but do not qualify yet as a big-time troupe. Arrangements all show considerable manipulation and imagination, but the comedy inserts are pale, very much like the hillbilly stuff heard on daytime radio shows. Girls look and dress like college freshmen, and the man appears to be an older brother or a . young father. One of the gals twangs a guitar and does a laudable imper- sonation of Hepburn in their closing and best number, 'Cowboy and the Lady.' Other numbers are 'Apple for Teacher,' 'Collegiate Love' and 'Doin' the Quiz' (with an imper- sonation of Kay Kyser by the man). They're a clean-cut quintet that might easily go a long, way with more experience and the savoir faire that will result from more playing. Fox. TEX GENTRY Accordionist 1« Mins. Show Bar, Forest Hills, N. Y. Miss Gentry Is a tall, pleasant- looking gal who tries hard to deliver pop tunes instrumentally. Unfortu- nately, she needs to finish the rest of her accordion course, the inclination being to hit too many inharmonic chords, and there is a total lack of virtuosity. ■ She does 'Over the Rainbow,' 'If I Didn't Care.' 'Wishing,' 'South of the Border' and a couple more without expression or individuality. There's a deadpannishness here that Indi- cates a serious lack of showmanship, probably due to inexperience. Gilb. ANN HUDSON Dances 6 MiDs. Show Bar, Forest Hills, N. Y. A youthful brunet neatly encased in a blue leotard, combines acrobat- ics and ballet for .a satisfactory flller act. Her first number is a taps-on- toe routine done to 'Lullaby in Rhythm.' During this opener, Miss Hudson manages to sell her pleasing personality.- Change of garb to rose-lace pa- jamas and juliette cap to match brings on the second stanza—an acrobatic stint featuring two effec- tive steps, the first, a high-kick fol- lowed by forward two-hand somer- saults; the second, cartwheels 'which seque into splits. The closing is a floor-wiping series of circular .splits, followed by several control somer- saults, which elicit a nice salvo. Gilb. MUSH and SUGAR Dancing 7 Mins. Apollo, N. Y. Mixed team, he in white tail.s, she In white scanties, feature taps «n elevated, circular platforms that are mediocre. They work hard, with the girl showing more -ability than th« male. Otherwise, the act is of the standard whirlwind variety, okay for the col- ored vauders and niteries. TWO GIANTS OF RHYTHM Dancing 6 Mins. Apollo, N. T. Team is aptly named. Elongated heftie.s, garbed in tails, -do standard taps, in duo and challenges. They're okay on the standards, but lack of novelty doesn't warrant con- sideration for higher brackets; Rose's $1,000,000 .Continued from page ]_ succesiifully, quite near to the Aqua- cade. When Rose squawked this season, Grover Whalen. told him to 'forget it' as a personal favor, apart from • the fact that Todd and/or the. Fair Corp. could contest Rose's complaint , by .slating 'Hot Mikado' was merely a Gilbert and Sullivan revival, hence not to construed as modern thea- trical competition. According to Rose's deal, the Hall henceforth could be restricted only to something dramatic or cinematic. Rose's Diamond Horseshoe nitery is said to have netted $150,000 thus far this season.